Effect of Random Synchronization Errors in PN and PSK Systems

The effect of a constant synchronization error on PN systems has been studied by Gill [1]. His results are generalized here for random synchronization errors, and extended to PSK systems using decision directed channel measurements [2]. In both cases, it is shown that the effect of random synchronization errors is to reduce the effective input signal power and to introduce an additional self-noise. The effect is minimized when the synchronization error has zero mean and can easily be evaluated in terms of circuit parameters.